Let's talk about Pancreatic cancer. My Grandmother died 12 days after she was diagnosed with this horrific cancer in 2005. Unfortunately survival rates remain very poor with the current 5 year survival from diagnosis being only 7.9%. Pancreatic cancer presents vaguely and often these symptoms are ignored or put down to something else. I want to post this story to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer both among my medical colleagues but also for anyone that is worried about how they are feeling. 

My Story 

I am 33, I am fit and healthy, working as a GP with 2 young kids. In the summer I started noticing some symptoms- just occasional days of feeling sick, I was a bit more tired than usual and not quite as hungry. I made excuses in my head about it- I was over tired from work, the kids demanded a lot of energy, I had just stopped breastfeeding and my hormones were still settling. I convinced myself nothing else could be going on. 

In November I felt a mass in my abdomen. 

The next few weeks were the worst of my life. I will feel eternally grateful to my GP and the NHS for how fast everything happened but the news wasn’t good. I was found to have a large mass on my pancreas. 

I underwent major surgery on the 1st of December by the incredible Pancreatic team at Glasgow Royal infirmary. I can thankfully tell you I was given the news shortly after my operation that I did not have pancreatic cancer. Pathology showed I had a rare pre-cancerous cystic tumour but the surgery had managed to remove all of it. 

I had been given the news that no pancreatic patient is given. My journey as a patient had ended with my surgery, I didn’t need any more treatment. My heart goes out to anyone with pancreatic cancer- having to endure any form of treatment such as chemotherapy after such a huge operation felt inconceivable to me after how weak the operation made me, both physically and mentally. 

As with all pancreatic operations my recovery has been long and complicated. I was discharged from hospital just in time for Christmas day and I continue to recuperate at home. I am a long way from being back to full health but I am trying to take this time to reflect on how grateful I am for my wonderful family, friends and also our NHS. A special note in particular for the nursing staff who helped me through my darkest hours of pain and immobility in the days after the operation. To be in such a vulnerable place and be treated with such dignity and care was immeasurably important. I will never be able to thank them all enough. 

I don’t normally open up about such personal matters but if I can even help one person find the courage to seek help or consider the pancreas when consulting in a medical situation, I will take comfort from this. Pancreatic Cancer Action is an incredible charity who specifically focus on improving pancreatic cancer survival rates through early diagnosis. I was given the news that pancreatic patients rarely get, and I will always be eternally grateful for this. But it could have easily been a different picture. Reading my story and having awareness is enough for me but if you have a few spare pounds to contribute towards this charity thank you for the support. 

I wish you all a wonderful and prosperous 2022- remember to live, laugh and love and try to worry less about the small things. Life can be really unpredictable and often too short. 

Love Kate x